Brighton breaks new ground with LGBT Best Bar None award winner.

A lesbian pub in Brighton has become the first gay venue in the UK to win a Best Bar None award.

The Marlborough Pub was named ‘best run bar’ in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) category, sponsored by PinkNews.co.uk and media partners 3SIXTY

Lesbian and gay venues that entered were assessed on a variety of aspects of the business, including public safety, the prevention of crime and disorder and protecting children from harm.

“We’re absolutely delighted with the award,” said Kath Lawson, manager of The Marlborough. “I’ve always tried to run the pub so it’s a safe and welcoming place for people to drink.”

Prizes on offer for the winner included £3000 worth of advertising in 3SIXTY and a ‘Best Bar None’ accredited plaque.

“The award for The Marlborough was well-deserved,” Neil McMillan, one of the organisers of the event, told PinkNews.co.uk “The event was a great success and highlights the safety efforts and awareness of LGBT venues.

“After this years event, we’re hoping that other gay venues will follow suit and enter the scheme for next year, which will have a positive effect on the safety of venues in the city.”

With the new LGBT category, Brighton Hove became the first city in the country to have such an award for a licensed premises. The aim of the Best Bar None scheme is to reduce the risk of alcohol related harm, disorder and crime within the city and to establish a benchmark of good practice in off and on trade licensed premises.

Other categories in the Best Bar None scheme were Best Pub, Best Bar and Best Nightclub.